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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, I chat with Emilie, a mum of two who shares her honest, uplifting, and deeply relatable story of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
Emilie planned a home birth for her second baby after a fast first labour; and her instinct proved right. She talks us through her surprisingly quick home birth, how hypnobirthing techniques helped her stay calm and in control, and the vital role her partner played throughout the experience.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode of The Hypnobirthing Podcast, I’m joined by Hanna, co-founder of Life Postpartum, a holistic recovery platform created to support women through the often-overlooked postpartum period. After experiencing her own challenges and feelings of uncertainty after birth, Hanna was inspired to build an accessible and affordable space where new mums can find the care and guidance they need.
We chat about why postpartum recovery deserves just as much focus as birth preparation, and explore the physical, emotional, and nutritional sides of healing after birth. Hanna shares how Life Postpartum connects women with trusted experts and resources, and we talk about the importance of self-care, support, and community during the fourth trimester.
If you’re pregnant or recently postpartum, this episode is full of practical insight and gentle encouragement to help you approach recovery with confidence and compassion; and a reminder that you don’t have to do it all on your own.
Check out Life Postpartum here https://www.lifepostpartum.com/
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode, I speak with listener Charlotte about her third birth. After two hospital births that left her feeling traumatised, Charlotte chose a home birth for her third baby; and her experience was completely different. Thank you, Charlotte, for sharing your story with us!
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode of The Hypnobirthing Podcast, I explores four simple yet powerful positions that can make labour more comfortable, help your baby move into a good position, and support your body’s natural flow through birth.
You’ll learn how movement and positioning can help you stay calm, ease discomfort, and work with your contractions, whether you’re at home, in a birth centre, or in hospital. I also shares practical tips for birth partners, breathing techniques, and gentle reminders to trust your body’s instincts throughout labour.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode, Monique shares how she discovered hypnobirthing and prepared herself for a calm, natural birth. She talks about her experience managing gestational diabetes and planning for a hospital birth, before an unexpected diagnosis of severe preeclampsia at 35 weeks changed everything.
Monique’s story is such a wonderful reminder that a positive birth isn’t defined by how it looks on paper, but by how you feel, prepare, and respond to the journey as it unfolds.
🌸 Resources & Links
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Have you been experiencing regular tightening's that seem to start and stop, leaving you wondering if labour is finally beginning… or not? You’re not alone, and you’re not imagining things.
In this episode, I’m diving into prodromal labour — sometimes frustratingly called "false labour" (but let’s be honest, there’s nothing false about it!). I’ll walk you through:
If you're currently in this phase or want to understand it better before birth, this episode is for you.
💛 You are not broken. Your body is working beautifully. Let’s talk about it.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In today's episode, I chat with Crystal, who shares the story of her calm, healing home birth. After experiencing a previous traumatic birth and the loss of a previous pregnancy, Crystal talks about how she prepared emotionally for birth, used hypnobirthing techniques to stay grounded, and found reassurance through the trust she built with her birth team.
Crystal’s story is honest, emotional, and deeply positive; showing how hypnobirthing isn’t about control or perfection, but about mindset, relaxation, and trusting your body.
🌸 Resources & Links
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Birth isn’t just a physical experience; it’s a deeply mental and emotional one too. The way you prepare your mind can have a huge impact on how you feel during labour and beyond.
In this episode of The Hypnobirthing Podcast, I share 7 powerful ways to prepare your mind for birth so you can approach your baby’s arrival with calm, confidence, and trust in your body.
We’ll cover:
✨ Why knowledge is power in birth
✨ How to reframe negative beliefs and replace them with positive ones
✨ The importance of relaxation techniques and daily practice
✨ The role of visualisation in creating confidence
✨ How your support team impacts your mindset
✨ Managing the “what ifs” so you feel prepared for anything
✨ Using affirmations to remind yourself of your strength
Along the way, I’ll share how positive birth stories (like those in my book The Little Book of Positive Birth Stories and here on the podcast) can transform your mindset, and why hypnobirthing tools are so effective for preparing mentally and emotionally.
Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your family, this episode will give you practical, encouraging steps to feel ready for birth.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this week’s episode, I chat with Katie, a new mum living in Surrey with her husband, baby, and dog. Katie shares her experience of pregnancy, going all the way to 43+6 before giving birth, and how hypnobirthing gave her the confidence to trust her body and instincts.
We talk about:
✨ Navigating the wait to 43+6 with calm and confidence
✨ How hypnobirthing supported Katie through pregnancy and birth
✨ Her reflections on how quickly time passes
Katie’s story is such a wonderful reminder of the power of preparation and trusting yourself during pregnancy and birth.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode of The Hypnobirthing Podcast, I’m sharing the incredible hormonal cocktail that makes labour and birth flow smoothly. From oxytocin (the love hormone) to endorphins (your natural pain relief), your body has the perfect recipe to keep you calm, manage sensations, and bond instantly with your baby.
Learn how simple things like privacy, safety, and dim lighting can boost these hormones and help your body do what it’s designed to do.
✨ Tune in to discover just how magical your birthing hormones really are.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode, Charlotte shares her inspiring birth story and experience using hypnobirthing techniques during an unexpected induction due to preeclampsia. She opens up about the challenges of navigating high blood pressure, self-monitoring at home, and the difficult postpartum period that followed, including hospital readmission. Despite the hurdles, Charlotte emphasizes the importance of preparation, self-advocacy, and trusting your instincts. Her story is a powerful reminder that even when things don’t go as planned, you can still have a positive and empowering birth experience.
Tune in to hear Charlotte’s honest reflections and helpful insights for anyone facing similar challenges in pregnancy and beyond.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode of The Hypnobirthing Podcast, I’m joined by Karen as she shares the powerful and instinct-led birth of her son at home.
Karen opens up about how hypnobirthing helped her stay grounded during labour, why releasing control was a turning point, and the unforgettable moment she caught her own baby. She reflects on the intense emotions that followed, and how they shaped her view of the experience.
Whether you're planning a home birth, considering hypnobirthing, or simply love a raw and honest birth story, this one will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode, Haley shares her honest and inspiring birth story with me. Haley’s labour was induced, which brought some challenges she hadn’t anticipated, including a drop in her baby’s heart rate and the possibility of an episiotomy, something she really wanted to avoid. Despite these hurdles, Haley had a natural, unmedicated birth and met her baby just six hours after labour began.
Haley talks about the experience of pushing through uncertainty, the surprising speed of her labour, and the special moments after birth, including delayed cord clamping and skin-to-skin time with her newborn. She also reflects on the emotions that come with birth, from relief and gratitude to the adrenaline rush that follows.
What You’ll Hear:
Haley’s story offers a grounded look at how birth plans can change, but how positive and empowering birth can still be. It’s a reassuring listen for anyone preparing for birth or interested in real-life birth experiences.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In today’s episode, I chat with listener Abbie, who shares the beautiful and inspiring story of her first birth. Abbie’s journey is a powerful reminder that positive and empowering first births do happen — and they can go exactly to plan!
Abbie and her partner immersed themselves in hypnobirthing education, listening to the podcast and taking my Essentials Course, which helped them feel informed, prepared, and calm going into birth. From navigating early labour at home with candles and baths to a peaceful water birth in the hospital, Abbie’s story highlights the power of trusting your body, listening to your instincts, and creating a supportive birth environment.
🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:
How Abbie discovered hypnobirthing and prepared with her partner
Why she chose a water birth and how it felt for her
The emotional ups and downs during early labour (including news about a family member)
How her partner and mum supported her beautifully throughout
The moment she realised she was further along than she thought
A calm, connected birth experience and meeting her baby in the water
A huge thank you to Abbie for sharing her story, I know it will inspire and reassure so many first-time parents.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode, Maddie shares the story of her first birth; planned as a home birth but ultimately ending in a calm and empowering caesarean.
Diagnosed with polyhydramnios during pregnancy, Maddie went into labour and experienced a week of intense contractions that weren’t progressing. After being dismissed at hospital and told it was early labour, she trusted her instincts and returned a few days later, this time insisting on further assessment.
Faced with pressure to induce, Maddie stood firm and chose a caesarean birth, which turned out to be a beautifully calm experience, one she would choose again in the future.
We discuss:
The emotional toll of prolonged early labour
Trusting your instincts when you're not being heard
Why a caesarean can be a positive and empowering choice
A powerful reminder that trusting your instincts can lead to the right birth for you.
Find out more about polyhydramnios here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polyhydramnios/
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode of The Hypnobirthing Podcast, I’m joined by listener Katie, a first-time mum who laboured for a long time at home but ultimately ended up giving birth in hospital due to the presence of meconium in her waters.
Katie shares her beautiful and empowering story, walking us through her mindset as she prepared for a home birth and how she navigated the unexpected changes with calm and confidence. Even though her plans changed, she felt in control and supported throughout, thanks to her hypnobirthing techniques and a strong connection with her birth team.
We talk about:
Katie’s story is a wonderful reminder that birth doesn’t have to go exactly to plan to be a positive, empowering experience.
🌸 Resources & Links
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In today’s episode, listener Nanouk shares her journey through prenatal depression and labour induction, and how hypnobirthing helped her stay calm and confident. She discusses the emotional challenges of induction and the power of breathing and mindset to manage fear.
Key Points:
If you’re experiencing prenatal depression, remember you’re not alone — help is available. Here are some UK organisations offering support:
💙 Mind – Mental health support: mind.org.uk
💙 Tommy’s – Pregnancy and baby support: tommys.org
💙 Birth Trauma Association – Emotional support after birth: birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
💙 NHS Perinatal Mental Health Services – Find local support via your GP or nhs.uk
Worldwide:
🌍 Postpartum Support International (PSI) – postpartum.net
🌍 Motherhood Collective – motherhoodcollective.org
🌍 March of Dimes – marchofdimes.org
🌍 World Health Organization (WHO) – Mental Health in Pregnancy – who.int
The book Nanouk talks about by Lucy Jones can be found here https://tinyurl.com/23xb9cxu
🌸 Resources & Links
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In this episode of The Hypnobirthing Podcast, I speak with Katie, a listener and first-time mum, who shares her remarkable journey from planning an elective cesarean due to intense fear of childbirth to ultimately having a spontaneous, physiological birth in a birth center. Katie candidly discusses how hypnobirthing techniques, daily podcast listening, and mindset shifts helped her overcome fear, cancel her cesarean, and trust her body’s incredible capabilities.
This uplifting story is a perfect reminder of how powerful preparation, education, and belief in your body can be when it comes to birth. If you’re feeling anxious or uncertain about your own upcoming birth, Katie’s story might just be the confidence boost you need.
👶 In This Episode:
Why Katie initially planned a cesarean and how fear shaped her early pregnancy mindset
The pivotal role of hypnobirthing and podcast episodes in helping her regain confidence
Her decision to cancel the cesarean at 39 weeks and decline sweeps/interventions
Going into spontaneous labour just after her sister’s wedding (where she was Maid of Honour!)
A fast, empowering birth centre experience and how it changed her perspective on birth
Plans for the future, including potential home birth considerations
If you found Katie’s story helpful or inspiring, please consider sharing this episode with someone you know who’s pregnant or leave a review—it really helps others find the show!
🌸 Resources & Links
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In today’s episode, I’m joined by Emy, a listener who shares her beautifully calm and instinct-led first birth story. Originally from Sweden and now living in Bristol, Emy talks about how hypnobirthing helped her prepare mentally, release fear, and embrace the unknowns of birth with confidence and positivity.
From early surges at home to a magical birthing suite experience, Emy’s story is full of empowering moments, supportive instincts, and wonderful reminders of how important it is to trust your body. This is a birth story you won’t want to miss—especially if you’re preparing for your first birth.
A huge thank you to Emy for sharing her story so openly!
🎧 What we cover in this episode:
How Emy used hypnobirthing to replace fear with confidence
The importance of mindset and preparation
Listening to your body and following your instincts
The role of her supportive birth partner
Giving birth in a midwife-led unit and what that was like
Why every birth story matters—even the calm and positive ones!
🌸 Resources & Links
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Episode Summary:
In this solo episode, I dive into one of the most common questions I'm asked: Is hypnobirthing enough? If you've completed a course or are thinking about starting one, this episode is essential listening.
I explore what hypnobirthing teaches you, why it's a powerful foundation, but also why it’s just the beginning of truly preparing for a positive birth experience. I unpack how deeper education, regular practice, and understanding the maternity system are key to feeling empowered and supported — especially when birth doesn’t go according to plan.
In this episode, I talk about:
Why hypnobirthing is more than a checklist item
How the maternity system impacts your birth experience
The importance of informed decision-making and knowing your rights
What else you need to do beyond a course to feel truly prepared
The crucial role of your birth partner and how they can confidently advocate for you
Why preparation for the postpartum period matters just as much
Whether you’re planning a home birth, birth centre experience, or hospital delivery, this episode will help you reflect, refocus, and rethink what “being ready” for birth really looks like.
🌸 Resources & Links
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.